Charity

Back Up
Approximately 3 people every day have an accident or injury that results in permanent paralysis through damage to the spinal cord. Despite good medical progress there is still no cure. Paralysis is permanent.
Over 40,000 people in the UK have a spinal cord injury (SCI), the majority of whom are wheelchair users. The Back-Up Trust is a small, dynamic and professional charity that runs a range of services for people with SCI as well as their friends, family and volunteers to encourage independence, self-confidence and motivation following a life changing injury.

Event details

14 July 2012

Wheelchair users driving in the Mongol Rally - 10'000 miles of driving mayhem challenging the realms of possibility!!

Only0days to go!

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Wheelie Wanderers - Mongol Rally 2012

Fundraisers:

Pete Donnelly

My page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/backuprally

The Mongol Rally is the world's toughest driving race, from London to Mongolia it comprises of 10'000 miles of the most remote and inhospitable environments on earth, mountain ranges with sub-zero temperatures and deserts that take days to cross. Doesn't sound tough enough? Imagine you've sustained a spinal cord injury and now use a wheelchair instead of your legs. Now there's a challenge.

On the 14th July 2012, a team of wheelchair users will take on the challenge that will test us to our physical and mental limits - and possibly beyond!

We're raising money for the Back Up Trust who support people that sustain a life changing spinal cord injury through helping them regain a perspective on their abilities and what they can achieve.

"My name is Pete, 5 years ago I had a bike accident at the age of 19, breaking my neck, back, wrist, leg and doing a lot of nerve and muscle damage to my arms. Things were difficult at first – really difficult but at some point you have to make the decision not to give up and fight on. In the last 5 years I’ve been travelling, volunteered teaching wheelchair skills both in the UK and in Asia, finished my degree, I’ve been skydiving, scuba diving and completed triathlons - basically everything I would have done if I hadn’t been injured."

"My name is Jan and I've been spinally injured for 15 years. On receiving the news that I would never walk again, I felt my world had collapsed around me! I had 2 very young daughters and didn't think I could do anything. Going on a Back Up course showed me that I could once again live outside of my four walls at home! This gave me the confidence through talking to other chair users that no matter what with a little help and knowledge all things are possible to succeed in life and live it to the full. I'm a very active person now and travel the country encouraging others to gain confidence and independence after their spinal injury no matter if they are young or old, life still has potential for them!"

"My name is Rich, I had my injury at work some 4 years ago. I worked as a steel frame erector and fell 25ft through an asbestos roof on to a concrete floor. I sustained several injury's including cracked scull, collapsed lung, broken ribs and broken back. I am now in a wheelchair for the rest of my days, before my accident i kept very active cycling, gym and snowboarding to name a few. I still do now as a wheelchair user. After my accident i never would of dreamed that it would of been possible to do any of these things again. But it is and this trip will be my most exciting challenge yet."

The Back Up Trust show people every year that they are still capable of leading fulfilling lives after what is a traumatic, life changing experience. Using services such as rehabilitative courses, wheelchair skills training and a mentoring service, a team of peer volunteers work alongside the office to give people back what most cannot find alone.